Ever see these? If you breed enough goats you will! There is no alarm if the kid is otherwise healthy, it just means their space was limited and their feet were curled under probably the last few weeks of third trimester in the womb.

Here's how I work with these. First our subject: Johanna - moderately contracted...

First I gather the kid, scissors, toilet paper rolls and duct tape. Please note that if your kids are around other goats (dam, siblings, etc) that other goats may pull off the wraps, chew on them and ingest part of it or injure the kid while chewing on the wraps. We handraise our kids so we don't have those issues.

Then I cut the tube lengthwise, measure for height keeping the tube lower than the knee and cut them shorter if needed.

Then I cut about a 1 foot length of tape (less for minis) and firmly but not too tightly wrap the leg with the tube starting at the knee, then slide the splint down toward the bottom of the hoof to be sure the hair is lying in the correct direction, then wrap the tape. After that I cut about a 6 inch length of tape and starting on the inside fetlock (ankle) wrap around the foot bottom then up the other side. This sticks the boot in place and keeps it from riding up into the knee.

Then I repeat. The end result is a happy bouncey baby that will keep her leg straight enough to restretch the tight tendons while she walks. I recheck the tendons in a day, and then about every twelve hours after that. Most splits can come off in 1 to three days. I haven't found it necessary to tape the top of the splint to the leg hair so I don't so that it's easier to remove.

"Right now after I get done milking I just wash with soap and water before returning the goats to their pen. Is this sufficient / proper in order to reduce risk for mastitis?"

My answer was;

​"Maybe, but not likely.

When we are washing our hands with soap and water they usually haven't been exposed to manure and urine and dirt 24/7 nor do our hands have an opening with access to the inner body. Also udder tissue and especially orifices can't endure the scrubbing that would be necessary to remove bacteria only with soap and water. Also some soaps will leave a residue at the teat end, to which bacteria or foreign particulate could adhere to. just things to consider.

I always recommend using some type of diluted essential oil spray."

A thought on antibacterial soaps... Nearly all of those contain known or suspected carcinogens. That is not something I want on my hands or skin or on the skin of my goats that are producing my table milk! Also consider that they tend to strip natural oils from the skin, allowing skin to be compromised or chafed- even at just a microscopic level chafing leaves hidey holes that bacterial and debris/dirt are quite comfortable taking up residence.

I personally use our Thieves type of essential oil that I dilute with water and a touch of natural soap in a quart spray bottle. I spray pre and post milking to sanitize the teats and orifices. A cool spray also encourages the orifices to close sooner than they would without it. The sooner orifices close the less opportunities bacteria have to enter the orifice. Even though the teats are disinfected there will still be bacterial issues floating around in the air, which does come in contact with teats.

;​Happy MILKING :) !!!

Author

Katherine MH, CR, CA, CEIT, DipHIr, QTP has extensive alternative training in Vitalistic (cause oriented) wellness,including a Master's Degree in Herbology and has a heart to share with you so that you, your family and your creatures may achieve abundant wellness.